BevNET Live: Big Changes, Hard Choices, with Hiball CEO Todd Berardi BevNET Live: Big Changes, Hard Choices, with Hiball CEO Todd Berardi

BevNET Live: Big Changes, Hard Choices, with Hiball CEO Todd Berardi

by Jeffrey Klineman,

BevNET is pleased to announce that Todd Berardi, CEO and Founder of Hiball, will be offering a case study based on his brand during the upcoming BevNET Live conference in Santa Monica, Calif. The decision to undertake a drastic rebranding effort on behalf of a still-developing brand can be a gut-wrenching process for many entrepreneurs, as they develop personal, emotional, and financial attachments to their products and business plans.

Review: C2O Coconut Water with Pulp Review: C2O Coconut Water with Pulp

Review: C2O Coconut Water with Pulp

by BevNET.com Staff,

For coconut water brands that use cans as their package, a flavor with pulp is typically part of the lineup. C2O, however, didn't have one, which is perhaps at least part of the reason why the company expanded in this direction rather than adding flavored offerings like some of the Tetra Pak carton based brands. And while we were admittedly thinking "if you’ve had one coconut water with pulp, you’ve had them all," once we sipped the product, it was clear C2O did something slightly different.

With Armstrong Gone, It’s Tebow Time for FRS With Armstrong Gone, It’s Tebow Time for FRS

With Armstrong Gone, It’s Tebow Time for FRS

by Ray Latif,

Less than a week after the company severed ties with disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong, FRS is placing Tim Tebow, its squeaky clean spokesman, squarely at the forefront of a major marketing initiative. Today, FRS announced a new national campaign promoting its relationship with the New York Jets quarterback, who, as a result of Armstrong's departure, is now the premier endorser of its line of quercetin-based line of functional drinks and powders.

High Caffeine Content in Monster Energy Caused Death of Teenager, Lawsuit Claims High Caffeine Content in Monster Energy Caused Death of Teenager, Lawsuit Claims

High Caffeine Content in Monster Energy Caused Death of Teenager, Lawsuit Claims

by Ray Latif,

Already the target of an investigation by the New York state attorney general’s office into how the company packages and discloses its caffeine content, Monster Beverage is a facing a new lawsuit alleging that the high caffeine content in its flagship beverage contributed to the death of a Maryland teenager last December.

Gluten-Free Market to Reach $4.2 Billion in Sales in 2012 Gluten-Free Market to Reach $4.2 Billion in Sales in 2012

Gluten-Free Market to Reach $4.2 Billion in Sales in 2012

by Ray Latif,

With nearly one in five U.S. adult consumers now purchasing or consuming products tagged as gluten-free, sales of gluten-free foods and beverages are expected to reach $4.2 billion in 2012, according to a new report from Packaged Facts. As consumers increasingly shift toward healthier lifestyles and become more aware of gluten-free offerings, the category has risen at a compound annual growth rate of 28 percent over the past four year period.

Review: AguaCon Flavored Water Review: AguaCon Flavored Water

Review: AguaCon Flavored Water

by BevNET.com Staff,

AquaCon (pronounced “agua cone”) is a recently introduced line of zero calorie flavored waters.  While the look of the product is familiar, the use of stevia to create a small…

BevNET TV: NACS 2012 – An Interview with Manoj Bhargava of 5 Hour Energy BevNET TV: NACS 2012 – An Interview with Manoj Bhargava of 5 Hour Energy

BevNET TV: NACS 2012 – An Interview with Manoj Bhargava of 5 Hour Energy

by Ray Latif and Joshua Pratt,

“To some extent, we’ve become like WD-40.” – Manoj Bhargava, founder and CEO of Living Essentials, the marketer of 5 Hour Energy. At a glance, it may not be the most elegant of comparisons, but when one considers the utter domination that each product shares over its competitors, the analogy is crystal clear. In the same way that there is no "category" for WD-40, Bhargava considers energy shots to be a one-horse stable.

Canned Reaction: Hiball’s Rolling Behind New Package Canned Reaction: Hiball’s Rolling Behind New Package

Canned Reaction: Hiball’s Rolling Behind New Package

by Jeffrey Klineman,

Since moving into the 16 oz. can style that is more typical of the energy drink category, the brand has received not just increased attention from Whole Foods, but also nationwide approval in Kroger for all six of its SKUs (four zero-calorie energy waters and two 100-calorie juice blends), as well as accounts in Ralph’s, Wegman’s, Jewel-Osco and many others.

AriZona Partners with Artist Richard Prince to Create “Lemon Fizz” AriZona Partners with Artist Richard Prince to Create “Lemon Fizz”

AriZona Partners with Artist Richard Prince to Create “Lemon Fizz”

by Ray Latif,

Controversy is not a word often used to describe legendary golfers and AriZona brand partners Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. No, if anything, the two men offer consumers a warm and fuzzy feeling of classic, elegant Americana and the entirely uncontroversial refreshment of iced teas and lemonades. Nevertheless, it appears that AriZona is ready celebrate the last throes of its 20th year anniversary with a bang loud enough to have the two men grabbing their chests, tickers aflutter.

What Are The Benefits of High Pressure Processing (HPP)? What Are The Benefits of High Pressure Processing (HPP)?

What Are The Benefits of High Pressure Processing (HPP)?

by Ray Latif,

As the beverage landscape in America continues to shift toward an emphasis on health and wellness, the use of high pressure processing (HPP), a technology that, unlike pasteurization, uses high pressure instead of heat to inhibit bacteria growth in raw foods and beverages, is eliciting interest among a growing number of entrepreneurs and existing beverage manufacturers.

FRS, Lance Armstrong Sever Ties FRS, Lance Armstrong Sever Ties

FRS, Lance Armstrong Sever Ties

by Jeffrey Klineman,

Armstrong has been an investor and member of the board of directors for the company, as well as a spokesman and "FRS Ambassador" for several years. He resigned from the board of directors yesterday. According to several reports, Armstrong will no longer be used to help market the products.